MANILA — On May 30, 2013 at 6 a.m., soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 41st IB chanced upon a unit of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) and fired at the NPA sentry. A firefight reportedly followed, with the NPA guerrillas retreating as the soldiers had the initial advantage. Four hours later, the said NPA unit and soldiers of the AFP again clashed. This time, the NPA reportedly gained advantage after mounting an ambush on the pursuing soldiers of the 41st IB.

The two incidents left three (3) soldiers killed and an undetermined number wounded. In a statement, the NPA said their guerrillas retreated safely. The 2 firefights took place at Mabolo, Gacab, Malibcong, Abra.

After the firefight, the AFP has reportedly begun a pursuit operation, in the process bombing several areas in the town of Malibcong. At 2 p.m. on May 30, it dropped bombs in Gacab and Duldulao. At 7 a.m. on May 31, helicopters reportedly bombed farmlands in Paoay, Umnap, Bangilo.

Two hours later in the same day, a bomb also exploded at farmlands in Barangay Lat-ey, 150 meters away from the community Micro-Hydro Power Plant, and only 40 meters away from 2 teenage girls who reportedly suffered war shock because of the incident. Diego Wadagan, spokesman of the NPA in Abra, said in a statement emailed to Bulatlat.com that a bomb was also dropped in nearby Sitio Alligang of Lat-ey village in Bangilo, Abra, but it failed to explode.

We cannot blame the military for they are just doing on what they got paid to do by protecting the interests of our few politicians/lawmakers and their equally greed cohorts or political backers. They are all belonged to the elite group/family that controlling the direction of our economy or our future. Our military’s hand are being tied behind their back although some of them including Pres. Aquino, Sen.Trillanes and others were just bleeding inside for they are still over-powered by shrewd sons and daughters of the devil politicians or lawmakers. What can this Military do if their Commander-In-Chief forced to listen more to his political/economic advisers rather than to his out-numbered more concerned leftist or progressive minded few comrades? One good example is the total eradication of corruption but the President cannot succeed totally especially in the province of Abra because some of his allies or friends are might be as well be guilty as charged. Our only remaining hope is, if Sen Trillanes or Lacson will be our next President or their likes. Other than that, we will still suffer the same fate over and over again and might be even worse if Pres. Aquino will not dance CHA-CHA necessary for the extension of his term.